Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus (Girard 1854)

All About Lingcod

This website is dedicated to enhancing the understanding and
appreciation of lingcod
(Ophiodon elongatus), one of the Pacific Northwest's most charismatic fish species.

An Internet search will show that we are more focused on how to catch and
eat this fish than we are on understanding its biology, behavior, and role in our environment. We don't even have the data needed
to develop regulations that will ensure that lingcod fishing efforts are sustainable.

One purpose of this site is to provide a comprehensive set of information about lingcod in
order to promote a broader understanding and appreciation of this fish and its role in PNW waters.
To help achieve this purpose, we will post any relevant and appropriate information about lingcod that
is sent to us and will provide the appropriate credit for this information. Submit materials to
webmaster@lingcod.org with subject of: Lingcod Website Suggestion. Please do not submit information on catching or cooking lingcod.

A key function of this website is to report on the efforts of the ongoing Edmonds Underwater Park Lingcod Nest Census. The Edmonds Underwater Park (EUWP) was established in 1970 as a Marine Preserve and Sanctuary along the waterfront in Edmonds, Washington. It includes about 27 acres of tidelands and shallow ocean bottomlands. The underwater structures created in the park for the pleasure of divers provide great nesting habitat for lingcod and have resulted in this small park being one of the most productive areas for lingcod reproduction in the Puget Sound, if not the entire Salish Sea. It demonstrates the value of Marine Protected Areas in building and maintaining populations of bottom fish. A key function of this website is to report on the efforts of the ongoing Edmonds Underwater Park Lingcod Nest Census .more...

The 2014 - 2015 Lingcod nesting season is well underway! The first nest was discovered December
7, 2014.
As of January 3, 2015, the census divers are finding 5 or 6 new nests per
dive. There are still many gravid females throughout the park.
Complicating recent observations have been a number of very aggressive
cabezon which are also guarding new egg masses. The nesting season will continue through April and we expect to find
many more nests and egg masses.

Recreational divers are able to observe a wide range of the fascinating behaviors exhibited by lingcod, many of which have not been documented.
This site provides a means for divers and researchers to
share their observations on lingcod behavior. It also provides a venue for underwater photographers to share
images of lingcod.
more..

In addition to lingcod, divers in the EUWP observe many other fish and invertebrate species and their behaviors. As with lingcod, these behaviors may not be documented anywhere. This site provides a means for divers and researchers to
share their observations on the behavior of any critters and also of the park in general. It also provides a venue for underwater photographers to share
images taken in the park. Please send your observations and/or images that you wish to share to:
webmaster@lingcod.org with subject of: Lingcod Website Suggestion. We can't pay for the use of any materials sent to us, but will provide the appropriate credit to the source of the materials.

Do you have a question regarding lingcod? Do you need an image of a lingcod? Contact us at info@lingcod.org
with a subject of: Lingcod Information Request.